Banking and Finance with a European Language (German) (BSc)

This programme of study provides you not only with training relevant to the practice of banking and other financial careers, but also with exemption from certain examinations of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

The Banking and Finance degree is of particular interest to those wishing to enter the financial sector. It will provide you with the opportunity to acquire specialist economic knowledge of the operation of the monetary and financial sectors.

In addition to providing you with training relevant to the practice of banking and other financial careers, it also provides exemptions from certain examinations of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

This course, Banking and Finance with German, provides you with an understanding of economic theory, particularly that which focuses on the organisational and managerial characteristics of the modern business enterprise. It also aims to engender a high level of competence in German and knowledge of the economy of Germany.

Distinctive features

Distinctive features of the course include:

economic principles with an emphasis on issues relating to Banking and Finance;

the central role of year two core modules of Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Introductory Econometrics implicit to the Banking and Finance degree course;

the use of simulated financial trading to understand the behaviour of financial trading markets in the context of different micro financial structures;

core specialist modules of Money, Banking and Finance (year two) and Economics of Banking, Financial Economics, and International Finance (year three) that explicitly define the degree;

Year three: Sandwich year

Year three consists of one year's study at a university in Germany as part of your degree. The programme of study is subject to approval by Cardiff Business School and will be equivalent to 6 double or 12 single Cardiff Business School modules (120 credits). It will consist of modules in economics, management, business, accounting etc., taught and assessed in German, and will thus provide competency in the language within a framework of economics, accounting, and business specialisations.

Cardiff Business School has developed links with several universities or equivalent institutions in France, Spain, Switzerland and Germany. It is intended that the size of each group from Cardiff Business School at any host institution will be two to four students. Students studying in Europe as part of their degree programme may be eligible for a grant from the Erasmus scheme, operated by the British Council.

Cardiff Business School has international partnership agreements with high ranking institutions in Europe. The School currently has bi-lateral exchange agreements with:

Year four

In year four you take three compulsory double banking and finance related modules plus one or two double modules from the optional list. If only one double module is chosen from the optional list, then you must also take the single modules. A compulsory double module in German is also taken.

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

How will I be taught?

Our teaching is heavily informed by research and combines academic rigour with practical relevance. While our internationally recognised faculty consists of academics who are at the forefront of knowledge within their field. They bring the lessons learned from their most recent research into the classroom, giving you access to critical business thinking and contemporary real life examples and scenarios.

We will provide your teaching and learning resources, and will be responsive to your needs and views. For your part, you will need to put in the necessary amount of work both during and outside formal teaching sessions, and make good use of the facilities provided.

Most modules involve a mixture of lectures and small group teaching (called classes, seminars, workshops or tutorials).

Lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop your own ideas. Seminars provide an opportunity for you to explore the ideas outlined in the lectures. Seminars may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small-group work and student-led presentations.

How will I be supported?

You will be allocated a personal tutor at the beginning of your studies. Normally, your personal tutor will teach on your own degree course and you will keep the same personal tutor throughout your course.

Your personal tutor will be able to give you advice on academic issues, including module choice and assessment. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your personal tutor should always be your first point of contact; she/he will be able to put you in touch with the wide range of expert student support services provided by the University and the Students' Union as appropriate. You are required to meet with your personal tutor three points during each academic year but you are also encouraged to get in touch with them at any other point if you need help or advice.

For day-to-day information, the staff of our Undergraduate Student Hub are available, in person, by telephone or by email, from 8am to 6pm each weekday during term time to answer your questions.

You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.

The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

Feedback

We’ll provide you with regular feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback, personalised feedback on written work, and generic written feedback.

You will be given general feedback following each examination period and will be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment methods vary from module to module but, across your degree scheme as a whole, you can expect a mixture of exams, coursework, essays, practical work, presentations, and individual and group projects.

What skills will I practise and develop?

What skills will I practise and develop?

As a result of engaging fully with this course, you will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both those which are discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’. These will allow you to:

grasp complex issues with confidence

ask the right questions of complex texts

have an imaginative appreciation of different views and options and analyse these critically

identify and apply relevant data

develop practical research skills

propose imaginative solutions of your own that are rooted in evidence

communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing and speech

sourcing, interpreting and presenting relevant numerical information – to support the composition of projects reports and business cases

work to deadlines and priorities, managing a range of tasks at the same time

work as part of a team, developing a collaborative approach to problem-solving

use IT programmes and standard software packages, where appropriate

take responsibility for your own learning programme and professional development.

Other information

Our Trading Room is used as part of some economics and accounting courses but is open to all Business School students. This facility is supervised by trained PhD students who will help you become familiar with the software and modelling techniques used in real-life trading rooms.

In 2015/16, 92% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating. Our business degrees give students a broad range of skills which are valued by a range of employers in the private and public sectors.

The banking and finance degree provides opportunities for careers within banking, accountancy and other financial institutions. Graduates also gain exemption from certain examinations of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

In addition to the University Careers Service, we have invested in our own, dedicated Careers Centre to help students find internships, job opportunities and access business industry specific advice and guidance.

Jobs

Accountant

Business Analyst

Economist

HR Manager

Lecturer

Marketing Executive

Production Manager

Stockbroker

Tuition fees

UK and EU students (2018/19)

Tuition fee

Deposit

Notes

£9,000

None

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.

Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.

Students from outside the EU (2018/19)

Tuition fee

Deposit

Notes

£16,950

None

Tuition fees for international students are fixed for the majority of three year undergraduate courses. This means the price you pay in year one will be the same in years two and three. Some courses are exempt, including four and five year programmes and Medical and Dental courses. Visit our tuition fee pages for the latest information.

We recognise the importance of gaining work experience during your studies. Our dedicated Placements Manager offers advice on available work placements, internships, work experience and opportunities to enhance your CV and broaden your horizons. Support with job applications and interview techniques is also available from the Business School’s in-house Careers Consultant.

Applying for 2018 or 2019

Get information and advice about making an application and learn more about our admissions criteria.